Today, I met with Keith Quick from the Oregon League of Conservation Voters (OLCV), to talk about getting Washington County to pass the Cool Counties Declaration.  OLCV works mostly on election campaigns, rather than direct lobbying, but there are things that it can do to bring the Board of Commissioners' attention to the Declaration.  At election time, OLCV gives out questionnaires to candidates it is condering supporting, asking them whether they would support various actions that would contribute to a healthier environment.  Based on the answers to these questions and on his or her past voting record, OLCV decides whether or not to support a candidate.

Now suppose that members of the Board of Commissioners who are up for re-election this spring receive a questionnaire with this question: Would you support passing the Cool Counties Declaration?  This would force them to consider the Declaratin seriously, and perhaps convince them to pledge their support for it.  Of course, it is possible that the Declaration will already have been passed in Washington County by the time the elections roll around - we can hope!  In that case, there could be a question about following through on the Declaration's goals.  Either way, OLCV can help make our county a cooler county.

It's important that we keep the momentum building.  Tomorrow I will be returning to the Forest Grove Peace Vigil to try and get more people to email the Board of Commissioners.  As for you, if you haven't already, please sign the ON-LINE PETITION TO THE BOARD. 

-Nick